4K Ultra HD Review – Awakenings (1990)

      Awakenings, 1990.

      Directed by Penny Marshall.

      Featuring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, John Heard, Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller, and Max von Sydow.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Penny Marshall’s modest classic, Awakenings, which was a box office hit and garnered three Oscar nominations, is now available in 4K Ultra HD with a commendable restoration. Unfortunately, the bonus features are limited and lack any new content, but it remains a valuable addition for fans of Marshall and this outstanding cast.

      I find it hard to shake off the sadness that envelops me whenever I think of Robin Williams. His passing at the age of 63 feels particularly tragic for someone like him, who should have had the opportunity to continue acting well into his later years, assuming he desired to do so.

      The 1990 film Awakenings serves as a prime example of his incredible talent. Growing up in the 70s, I witnessed his transformation from the silly humor of his stand-up and the character Mork from Ork, to serious roles such as teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society, Henry Sagan in The Fisher King, and now in this film as Dr. Malcolm Sayer.

      Based on actual events, Awakenings starts by introducing Leonard Lowe, a young boy who slips into a catatonic state and remains that way into adulthood, where he is portrayed by Robert De Niro. Leonard resides in a hospital ward with others like him, and Dr. Sayer, despite his social awkwardness and preference for research, discovers a potential method to “wake them up.”

      His colleagues mock his ideas, but he swiftly proves them wrong when his trial-and-error methods enable Leonard to emerge from his catatonic state and engage with the world around him. Eventually, Malcolm manages to awaken the other patients from their encephalitis lethargica-induced sleep, bringing life back to the ward.

      However, the dilemma of how to care for these patients soon arises, and hospital management is cautious about granting them too much liberty. What if they permit Leonard to roam the city alone and something terrible occurs? Would they be accountable for such an incident?

      Leonard struggles against these limitations, and when he becomes friends with Paula (Penelope Ann Miller), whose father is another patient in a similar catatonic condition, he decides to challenge the authorities. This does not end well for him, and Malcolm must confront the consequences of the unstable situation he has created.

      Awakenings was a commercial success and received three Oscar nominations, which lends credence to its release in 4K Ultra HD. While there is no Blu-ray included, a digital copy code is provided. Sony has conducted a high-quality restoration of the film, resulting in a viewing experience that closely mirrors its original theatrical release. While we cannot definitively say this is how it appeared in 1990 theaters, the picture quality on this disc is likely as close as possible.

      In terms of bonus features, the studio unfortunately did not produce any new content, so we only have the theatrical trailer, a six-minute making-of featurette (aptly named Making-Of Featurette), and nearly nine minutes of archival interviews with the cast and crew. This last feature offers a bittersweet look at the careers of individuals who were performing at the height of their skills, so I’m thankful we have that to cherish.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook